Cookie the Ty gingerbread plushie steals people's hearts online

Nbc News - Dec 18th, 2024
Open on Nbc News

Devin Silva, an 18-year-old, initially found a brown plushie toy at CVS to be 'ugly' but bought it out of sympathy. After posting about it on X, the post went viral, garnering over 27 million views. The plushie, named Cookie, quickly gained popularity, selling out online and being restocked multiple times. It has attracted a cult following, with people posting artistic renditions and fan edits. Silva believes the toy's transformation from 'ugly' to beloved resonated with people, providing lighthearted content. Cookie is a Beanie Belly, a newer version of the classic Beanie Baby, known for its soft material and festive design. Silva has connected with Ty and plans to continue sharing about Cookie, with hopes of acquiring its 'big brother,' Nutmeg.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging narrative about a plush toy's unexpected rise in popularity. It effectively conveys the social media phenomenon surrounding the toy but lacks depth in certain journalistic dimensions.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article is mostly accurate in reporting the social media trend and includes direct quotes from the involved individual, Devin Silva. However, it does not verify the exact sales figures or responses from Ty, which could enhance factual accuracy.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive reception of the plush toy, without exploring any negative perspectives or broader implications of such trends. Including a wider range of viewpoints would improve balance.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written and easy to follow, with a neutral tone. It effectively conveys the story of the plush toy's rise in popularity, though it could benefit from a more structured presentation of information.

5
Source quality

The article relies heavily on social media posts and does not cite authoritative sources or provide direct input from Ty, the company behind the toy, which affects the quality of sourcing.

5
Transparency

There is limited transparency regarding the article's sources, and it doesn't disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Mentioning the lack of response from Ty representatives is a positive aspect, but further disclosure would be beneficial.